The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Susan Staples Bell
After earning my degrees in Music Education (Trinity University) and Music Composition(UT Austin), I began teaching piano and discovered how rewarding it is to help students unlock their creativity. Over the years, I noticed how students light up when they connect emotionally with the music — they don’t just want to play notes; they want to tell a story. That realization inspired me to start composing music designed specifically for students — imaginative, skill-building, and genuinely fun to play. Read more>>
Sonya Marin
It’s hard to believe that I’ve transitioned from a 25+ year career in banking and fintech to now immersing myself in the world of painting hand fans, crafting wax seals, and working with dried flowers. Five years ago, I found myself paralyzed by pain. I’ve dealt with migraines for as long as I can remember, but they had never been this debilitating. Read more>>
Nancy Murray
At Bellas Fiestas, we believe there’s always an extra mile to be taken in event planning. We go above and beyond to transform simple events into magical experiences and ensure that every magical event becomes truly memorable. Regardless of your event style, budget, or concept, Bellas Fiestas is dedicated to crafting unforgettable moments. Read more>>
Dariene Tovar
I started working at H-E-B in 2021. Originally being hired on as a cashier, i quickly moved my way into different departments including beauty. My love for the beauty department lead me to move from my smaller department to a much larger one. I got hired on, as a beauty advisor, amongst a team of over 10 different partners. Read more>>
Russell Riggan
I’m a second generation financial advisor. My family has over 100 years in the financial services business. The clients I serve include families, small business owners, corporate executives, farmers and ranchers, retirees and nonprofit organizations. I started Talent Financial Services and affliated with Raymond James in May 2021. I chose to name my practice Talent Financial Services after a biblical parable. Read more>>
Michael Gonzalez, aka SALEM
My name is Michael Gonzalez. I am a hairdresser of nearly 13 years by day, and by night I am a burlesque entertainer by the name of SALEM. I grew up very attracted to the beauty industry, and also very enamored by the stage. Read more>>
Charles Dudley
Born and raised in Mississippi. I have interests in many different things and have pursued several as occupations. Two that I most focused on were art and martial arts. I paint photo-realistically on a large scale, such as the sides of buildings, billboards, and walls inside businesses. Read more>>
Christian Ortivez
There’s something that happens there that I don’t even think the English language can capture but what it does is it makes it to where when people go through hard times and they choose to listen to music instead of do anything else that would be considered harmful to him There’s something more powerful there other than people realize . Even if they don’t figure it out now it’s giving them the opportunity to and that’s the beautiful thing about music cause it never gives up on you. It’ll be there for you as many times as it needs to be.Other than that, explained everything on the first question. Read more>>
Matt Zulaica
Well, I started my own business because at the time it was a single dad and wanted to be able to be with my kids. I wanted to be able to just do the everyday basics for them, taking them to school, picking them up, being there for their games. Read more>>
Jane Garza
Back when I was attending a private school in downtown San Antonio, Texas, my art teacher took our class on a class trip. She loaded us all onto a city bus and off we went to visit the newly opened San Antonio Museum of Art. We wandered from room to room, exhibit to exhibit, as she explained painting techniques, different mediums, and styles. Read more>>
Gabe Rios
My buddy Zack and I were talking one day just brainstorming business ideas and I suggested tree planting because I had a friend of mine up north that had been doing it for a few years. Zack loved the idea and so we headed up to Dallas to get training on how to plant trees. Read more>>
Kelly Pacheco
My Journey from Traditional Medicine to Quantum Healing By Dr. Kelly Pacheco, BD, DNM, DSM, FNP-BC I grew up in a small town where life was simple, and community meant everything. As a child, I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved animals and was fascinated by how living beings could heal when given the right support. Read more>>
Daniel Haritos
Switcheroo – Our Story Switcheroo started with a simple frustration — we all have things lying around that still have value but aren’t worth the hassle of selling online. I wanted a way for people to swap items directly with others nearby — no listings, no haggling, no fees — just a quick “Tinder-style” match for stuff. Read more>>
Priscilla Gallegos
My name is Priscilla Gallegos, and I’m the proud owner of The Royal Beauty Lounge in San Antonio, Texas. I’m a business entrepreneur, licensed beauty professional, and mom of four and I take pride in being a woman who turned her dreams into reality. I grew up on the West Side of San Antonio and graduated from Memorial High School. Read more>>
Mason Mullins
I started running equipment young, maybe 7 or 8 years old. We have a family ranch in between Hondo and Bandera, we a descent amount of equipment out there. I remember being on a big front end loader while my dad was blading windrows and I’d be scooping them up for him and dumping it on a dam we were rebuilding. Read more>>
Melissa Stapleton
I worked for the previous owners for about 3 years and found I quickly I loved working there and the concept of the store. I was blessed to buy the store in January 2016 and I expanded the product and gift line. In March of 2022 I moved into a bigger space and really expanded my line of products. Read more>>
Dana Reeder, M.Ed.
13 years ago, my family moved to San Antonio from Dusseldorf, Germany. At the time, my oldest daughter was in 8th grade and had most of her education overseas. We attended a “prepare to go to high school” night where the counselor said, “You are going to high school next year, so you need to decide what you want to do as a career”. Read more>>
Amaranta Penate-Marty
Some people are lucky enough to know what they want to do as a career since high school. I was one of them—I wanted to be a graphic designer! Yes… not a therapist, not yet. That wasn’t on my radar at all. I loved art and creativity, and I was good at it, so I was set. Ready for the world. Read more>>
Kaylee Hartcraft
Hi, I’m Kaylee, the face behind Kay’s Parties! What started as a small passion for decorating my own family’s celebrations has grown into something I truly love, helping others bring their party visions to life. I’ve always had a creative side, but once I started making balloon garlands and backdrops for friends, I realized this was something special. Read more>>
Edmundo Sanchez
https://voyagesanantonio.com/interview/check-out-kaylee-hartcrafts-story Read more>>
Alyssa Nelson
My love for hair started young — my mom’s friend was a stylist and often used me as a model because of my curly, biracial hair. Learning how to care for it sparked my passion, and soon I was the friend everyone came to for hair help. Read more>>
Benjamin Pineda
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and from a young age, I was surrounded by creativity, resilience, and love — especially from my grandmother. She was the one who sparked my passion for hair. I would watch her do her hair with such care and grace, transforming herself with confidence and beauty. Read more>>
Seth Klein
River North Icehouse is owned and operated by TKW Hospitality Group and opened its doors in July 2024. Read more>>
Alexandra Sweeney
We graduated in 2013 from Chiropractic school. In 2014 we moved down to San Antonio and started working for other chiropractors, however, we saw there was in need for chiropractic care for moms and babies, so we decided to open up our own practice. Read more>>
Aylon Cohen
After growing up in Israel, Aylon moved to the US when he was 23. He was a working musician in California and then moved to Austin, where he met the love of his life, Laurie. After starting a family, they decided to move back to her hometown of Fredericksburg and Aylon wanted to bring the flavors of his home and family to the Hill Country. Read more>>
Araceli Hernandez
As a native of San Antonio, growing up on the city’s Southeast Side, I’m proud to be a Highland Owl. I earned my Business Degree from the University of the Incarnate Word. My favorite pastime is spending quality time with my family and our two dogs. Read more>>
Heather Larson
Established in 1977 by Pat Cantrell & Carol Guedry, there was one goal in mind, serve great food at a great price. We must be doing something right! Over the last 45 years Pat’s has grown to become a staple in our great little town of New Braunfels. Read more>>
Alejandro Franco
I used to work for my father in his upholstery shop. It was a family business Me my father and two older brothers, but I’ve always wanted to have something of my own. In late 2023 I decided to go my own way. While still working for my father, I would do projects at night in the garage. Read more>>
Greg Kara
After working at a local dealership as a technician for several years, in 2009 I was let go, due to cut backs. I had difficulty finding a new job and had apply for unemployment benefits. During my job hunt, I started advertising motorcycle repair services on Craigslist. At the time, I had a small single bedroom apartment, a broke down car, and a motorcycle. Read more>>
Morgan Johnson
Just something I found that I had a knack for. Baked a loaf of bread and the wife enjoyed it, she brought some to her work and they liked it, found some other recipes and made a few up myself and decided to start selling, cottage food laws made that part fairly easy. Read more>>
Amanda Sharp Cogorno
My journey toward founding Monarch Behavioral Health has been one of resilience, growth, and an unwavering belief in the power of healing. I began my career in 2000, working full time while pursuing graduate and doctoral degrees in psychology. Read more>>
Ingra Sparkman
Thirty-one years ago, a woman had a dream to help her community. She believed that everyone — no matter their background or income — deserved a safe and decent place to live. Her compassion became Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity, a local movement, an affiliate of Habitat International was built on faith, compassion, and the power of people working together. Read more>>
Samantha Cortez
In 2021, my husband Estefan and I opened the Texas Violin Shop in Leon Valley, Texas. With a modest bench and a lot of passion, we welcomed anyone looking for a quality instrument or a little help bringing theirs back to life. As more musicians found us, we moved to Converse in 2022, where our community grew faster than we ever imagined. Read more>>
Melinda Herrera
My story is really one of faith, purpose, and perseverance. I started my career in behavioral health over 15 years ago with a passion for helping people heal. I began as a counselor, sitting across from individuals who were at some of the most difficult points in their lives. Read more>>
Faith D. Cox
My literary journey began with a fourth grade writing assignment. That story developed a love of writing that has stayed with me through the years even while working outside the home, homeschooling children, and opening an after-school tutoring business for public, private, and homeschool students. I have written poetry, children’s manuscripts, a middle grade manuscript, and Christian women’s fiction, young adult, romance, and tragedy. Read more>>
Matthew & Melody Alvarez
Back in 2014 we remodeled a single family property (with minimal prior experience) as part of a family affair. We discovered that we really enjoyed this type of work and decided to start doing minor remodels part time including handyman work. Read more>>
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart
I started my private practice, A New Day Pediatric Psychology, here in San Antonio after spending over a decade in hospital and group practice settings. I had reached a point where I wanted to create something that reflected my values, a place where kids, teens, and parents could feel understood and supported without judgment. Read more>>
Danny Mendoza
People that know me, know very well how I romanticize clothing. Custom garments being the most intentional way to accomplish that has given me a route to achieve this on a daily basis. I facilitate ideas and creativity to make these one of one pieces, truly one of one. What sets me apart from part from others is that every single time one of my clients tries on their finished suits, goosebumps fill my arms. There is a genuine unmatched excitement and love towards what was created for the clients’ weddings, events, galas, and more. That plus world class fabrics and top notch construction helps also. Read more>>
Manuel Trillo
Insurance wasn’t my first dream, but it became my calling. I realized protecting families is one of the most powerful ways to build generational wealth and peace of mind. What began as one policy turned into a mission — to educate, empower, and elevate our communities through knowledge and opportunity. Read more>>
